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Boeing-Led Team Submits Plan to the FAA to Modernize Traffic Flow Management

Program is a Component of the FAA's Air System Transformation Effort

Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that a team led by its Air Traffic Management business unit has submitted a proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration to lead the agency's Traffic Flow Management Modernization (TFM-M) program. The FAA is expected to announce the TFM-M award in June.

TFM-M is a 12-year program (including options) to modernize the FAA's traffic flow management infrastructure and add a number of new functions and features to the system the FAA uses to monitor, manage and measure the flow of air traffic nationwide. The program's goals include enhancing information sharing between commercial aviation system users as well as improving system-wide cooperative and collaborative planning, decision-making and congestion management. These will result in improved National Airspace System (NAS) performance, increased security and safety, reduced delays and lower operating costs.

"TFM-M is an important step in the FAA's drive to make the world's best air traffic system even better," said Gene Hayman, Boeing Team program manager. "Our team's approach will result in a system where information will be securely and efficiently shared among all authorized system users. Getting the right information to the right people at the right time will further improve the system's security and safety while preparing for anticipated traffic growth in the future."

The Boeing Team would modernize the traffic flow system in a number of ways: establishing an open architecture platform to allow quick and easy upgrades, improving data quality and security, and integrating existing TFM subsystems with potential new features while ensuring uninterrupted system operations. These improvements and other FAA initiatives will help bring increased order to the complex and dynamic National Airspace System.

"We have a strong team, with expertise in program management, traffic flow management operations, advanced modeling and simulation and the development and deployment of new functions and tools into the current system," said Hayman. "We assembled our team to assist the FAA in achieving the greatest level of capability for its new system at the best value for the taxpayer. We are pleased to have the opportunity to compete for this program, which is critical to the long-term health of the aviation industry and the economy."

The Boeing Team consists of the Boeing Air Traffic Management and Phantom Works business units, Raytheon Company, KENROB and Associates, Inc., Metron Aviation Incorporated, RLM Software, Inc. and WSI. The team also received valuable contributions from Flight Explorer, ARCON and the Washington Consulting Group.

Boeing established its Air Traffic Management unit in November 2000 to dramatically improve air traffic systems throughout the world. Its aims are to make flying even safer and more secure, significantly reduce delays, congestion and environmental impact, keep aviation affordable and accessible for commercial, military, business and general aviation users, and enable seamless global aviation operations.